Tuesday 31 January 2012

Photo a day challenge
31.01.2012 - "You"
I hate having my photo taken, and even more so when I need a hair cut.


Monday 30 January 2012

Photo a day challenge

30.01.2012 - "Nature"

There are so many ways to show nature, but when I found this ladybug in the vegie patch I thought what a better way to show nature at work than in the food chain. It is sad to say that I don't see as many ladybugs these days, compared to when I was a child. We are so quick to grab the pesticide to spray the nasty bugs, that we forget about the friendly bugs. So I've made a concerted effort not to use spray in the vegie patch.

In the garden this week...

My parents garden continued.
The front yard.









In the garden this week...


My parents garden continued.

The side garden.






















In the garden this week...

Rather than my garden, I thought I would look at my parents garden this week. They established their garden around 22 years ago, and with a decent underground water supply they have been able to develop a beautiful garden. My parents are mad keen gardeners, which seems to have rubbed off on both my sister and I. No wonder. Take a look....

The back yard.










Sunday 29 January 2012

Photo a day challenge

29.01.2012 - "Inside your fridge"

It doesn't mater how often I clean out the fridge, there always seems to be the remains of some unrecognisable vegetable in the bottom of the vegi draw. So this is as far as you get to see of my fridge.


Photo a day challenge

28.01.2012 - "Light"

Without light there would be no shadows. The morning light has cast a great shadow of the Japanese Maple.


Friday 27 January 2012

Photo a day challenge
27.01.2012 - "Lunch"

One thing I miss about living in Melbourne is the variety of fantastic food from various cultures. This is about as flash as lunch gets these days.

Photo a day challenge

26.01.2012 - "Colour"

The options are endless with today's topic. I've settled on the Coleus recently planted in my new raised bed. It's all about fantastic foliage and always adds a splash of colour in a shaded area.





Thursday 26 January 2012

Colour merge cushion

Over the last week or so, I've been working on a crochet project that is all about colour. The colour merging of the yarn does all the hard work, with very little "design" required.

I've used 2 strands of 8 ply yarn with a 6mm needle and a half double chain stitch, in a basic square formation. To merge the colours I've worked colour A & B in round 1, colour B & C in round 2, colour C & D in round 3 and so on until reaching the size required.





Position the cushion insert on an angle and wrap the crochet fabric like an envelope.




 I've stitched the edges together using a basic single crochet stitch.


The end result gives 2 effects which I think works equally well.




Happy Australia Day

For me Australia Day is a day to be grateful for living in a fantastic country that has
  • a variety of good quality fresh food
  • water that you don't have to question if it is fit to drink straight from the tap
  • clean air to breath
  • life guards looking after us when we swim in the sea
  • emergency services (police, fire service, ambulance, SES ) that come when you call
  • free health care for everyone
  • a community that comes from the four corners of the world 
  • free education for all
  • tertiary education opportunities for all
  • a strong economy that hasn't been impacted by the GFC
  • a mortgage rate of around 6%
  • ongoing financial support for those who can't work
  • media free of political domination
  • a political system where any one can become a member of parliament
  • streets that I can walk down at night on my own
  • neighbours that care
  • a legislated minimum 4 weeks holidays a year
  • government financial supported maternity leave
  • government financial support to buy your first home
Today I'll be taking part in the Australian Day celebrations, by cooking at the community BBQ. I can't think of a better way to spend the day.

Happy Australia Day!

Wednesday 25 January 2012

When does building a stash slip over to becoming an addiction?

I couldn't resist the $1.80 per ball price on the 100% Pure Australian Wool when I was in Spotlight the other day. I know it is processed in China, and ideally I would like to buy wool that was grown and spun in Australia, but it was hard to resist. Especially as it seems they have gone back to the tighter twist which is much nicer to work with.

So when is enough, enough?

Photo a day challenge

25.01.2012 - "Something you made"

OK , I need to fess up on this one. Yes this is something I made, but not today. It had been in a box of stuff in my parents garage for about 15 years, and I have only now rediscovered it.



Tuesday 24 January 2012

Meet Horrie

I've never really been an animal person, despite growing up on a farm. We had pets of course, but I was never nuts about them. I think Horrie has changed that. He makes me smile.

Here he is asleep in his basket under my desk, where he keeps me company most days I'm working.


Photo a day challenge

24.01.2012 - "Guilty pleasure"

Taking time away from the desk to enjoy my mid morning coffee on the veranda.

Monday 23 January 2012

Photo a day challenge

23.01.2012 - "Something old"

My photo today is a picture I inherited from my Nana. My great, great Uncle was the head of an English dairy company operating in Australia in the late 1800's/ early 1900's. Every year he and his wife would have to sail back to England to report to head office. As was the trend at that time, they would stop in different countries on their voyage and buy up interesting bits and pieces. This is one of those pieces.

When the depression struck in the early 1900's, they had to sell up a lot of the things they had collected, so a call went out for family members to come and make an offer. My Nana selected a few nice pieces, amongst which was this and its pair (which my Aunt now owns, and I would love to reunite them at some point). 

I understand it is Chinese, as I have had a couple of Chinese visitors tell me that the meaning of the symbol on the stamp is Spring and someones name (I expect the artists). I understand it's made from ivory and mother of pearl.

Even though it is in need of conservation, I do love it and wish it could talk to tell me more of its history.




Sunday 22 January 2012

Richard Perso - Guitar Lovin' Man

After going out for dinner last night, we ended back at the local pub to listen to a fantastic young local musician Richard Perso. In the words of Molly Meldrum, "do yourself a favour" and take a listen to some of his CD.



Photo a day challenge

22.01.2012 - "Your shoes"

Being summer, I'm bare foot as much as possible. But I have taken a liking to Mr's old boots when I'm outside in the garden. They're surprisingly comfortable.



Photo a day challenge

21.01.2012 - "Reflection"

On the way out for dinner, we passed the spot I have always thought of as the "Bunyip waterhole. I think it is actually a result of gold mining in the late 1800's filled by a spring, but I like the Bunyip idea better. The sun was going down, so the water hole was in a mix of light and shadow. I couldn't decide which photo to use, so have selected an assortment. Which is your favourite?









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